The Science of Hope: Transform Despair into Mental Strength
Cultivating Hope in Dark Times
Back in early November, a certain event plunged me into despair. I’m sure some of you can relate. Even as a practicing stoic, I found myself overwhelmed, retreating into comfort at the expense of my well-being and my relationships.
So what’s the remedy to despair? What gets us out of it?
The Root of Despair
You might think happiness is the key – but it’s not. Despite joyful moments, I still felt a pit of doom lurking in my subconscious. It turns out the opposite of despair isn’t happiness – it’s prosper. Both words share the root "spera," meaning hope. While "despair" means "without hope," "prosper" means "to move forward with hope."
This insight shifted my perspective. How can we cultivate hope when everything feels dark?
Lessons from Stories and Leaders
Stories often offer surprising wisdom. In Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson, rebels fight to overthrow a tyrant in a world shrouded in ash. Their leader inspires them with a bold plan and a vision of freedom. His hope drives their courage.
History echoes this truth. Leaders like Martin Luther King Jr. faced immense challenges but dared to dream. As MLK once said, “We must accept finite disappointment but never lose infinite hope.” Even when the world seemed unchangeable, he held fast to the belief that a better future was possible. Real change, he understood, requires courage, patience, and a vision grounded in hope.
The Science of Hope
Psychologist Charles Snyder identifies three key elements of hope:
Believing in dreams of a better future.
Trusting your agency to make that future a reality
Seeing the multiple pathways towards that future.
These pillars show us that hope isn’t wishful thinking – it’s a mindset we can build. As MLK reminds us, “You don’t have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step.”
Your One Thing: Dare to Dream
This week, set aside 15 minutes to dream of a better future. Find a quiet space to visualize what you truly want. If journaling helps, ask yourself: What does a hopeful future look and feel like for me?
This could be your future as an artist, your future as a parent, your future as a citizen of earth - whatever vision resonates with you is the right one.
As discussed in my article on rest and creative burnout, giving yourself time to recharge is essential for clarity and creativity. In a future article I will share how rest bolsters our hope, as a well-rested mind is better equipped to dream boldly and take meaningful action.
Remember:
Hope isn’t abstract – it deliberately built upon dreams, agency and pathways.
Dare to dream.
Your vision is what will guide us through the darkness.